Wales U19 head coach Chris Gunter has challenged his newly named European Championship squad to make the senior Euros in two years.

Gunter has selected a 20-player squad to represent Cymru at the tournament, marking the nation’s fourth appearance at a men’s intermediate age group finals.

Arsenal defender Brayden Clarke becomes the first Cymru player to be selected for three UEFA youth EURO finals tournaments, having previously featured in the U17 EURO finals in Hungary and Cyprus in 2023 and 2024.

Oliver Bostock and Jayden Lienou, who were both involved in Craig Bellamy’s senior squad in June, have also been selected. They are joined by Rob Tankiewicz, who recently signed his first professional contract with Cardiff City.

“For these players – and we know we’re hosting in 2028, that’s two years’ time – their aim and opportunity is to try and force their way into that squad,” Gunter said.

“That’s the challenge for them and the opportunity.

“So the challenge for them to show how good they are against the best in Europe at their age is one that they will be looking forward to.”

Norwich City’s Elliot Myles and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Adam Brett are also included after receiving their first Cymru U21 call-ups in March.

“There was naturally always going to be a few big calls and disappointing people, not something I overly enjoyed,” said Gunter.

“But I’m really pleased with the strength of the squad we’ve got now.

“It’s something that has felt like it’s been a long way away for a while and then really quickly now it’s upon us.

“I know the players, you know, they can’t wait to get going.”

Everton duo Shea Pita and Luis Gardner have earned places in the squad, along with Manchester United forward Louie Bradbury, who scored his first U19 international goal on his debut against Sweden earlier this month.

“Even thinking back to a couple of the boys who were in the under-19s last season,” Gunter added.

“You look at Dylan [Lawlor] now, who has gone on and he’s playing and I think he’s played the last four senior games.

“It can change really quickly and move.”

Drawn in Group A, Cymru will begin their campaign against nine-time champions Spain at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday, 28 June.

They will then face former champions Germany at the Racecourse Ground on Wednesday, 1 July, before concluding the group stage against Denmark at the same venue on Saturday, 4 July.

“This tournament you’re going to be playing the very best – there’s only space for seven other teams,” Gunter said.

“In one way I don’t really care who we’re playing against, it’s about what we are and what we do.

“Playing those types of teams is a challenge, of course, but it’s something that I want our players to experience and there’s no fear or any sort of worries about who we’re playing against.”

Cymru U19:

Luis Lines (Norwich City), Logan Stretch (Sheffield Wednesday), Stanley Dancey (Crewe Alexandra), Brayden Clarke (Arsenal), Noah Williams (Cardiff City), Iestyn Jones (Swansea City), Luis Gardner (Everton), Jayden Lienou (Leeds United), Jac Thomas (Cardiff City), Makenzie Bradbury (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Charlie Stevens (AFC Bournemouth), Joe Lacey (Sydney FC), Robert Tankiewicz (Cardiff City), Elliot Myles (Norwich City), Cruz Allen (Derby County), Henry Kasvosve (Brighton & Hove Albion), Shea Pita (Everton), Oliver Bostock (West Bromwich Albion), Louie Bradbury (Manchester United), Adam Brett (Brighton & Hove Albion).

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